Chapter 645 It's Not Worth It
Wesley walked through the basement several more times to be absolutely sure there was nothing left inside.
The space had been completely cleared out. Sheldon must have acted quickly after Noah discovered his secret, moving Cassie elsewhere and scrubbing the place clean.
Wesley let out a deep breath. The walls were bare on all four sides. There were no boxes, no clutter, and nothing that could offer a clue. Everything could be seen at a glance.
Since Sheldon had moved her, there was no reason for him to stay here. He turned to leave, but just as he reached the exit, he saw Sheldon standing at the door.
"Mr. Wesley, what are you looking for down here?" Sheldon said with a faint smile.
"Is Cassie in your hands? There's no point denying it. Noah told me everything," Wesley asked directly.
"Yes," Sheldon admitted without hesitation. "I figured Noah wouldn't be able to hold out. He's still young. Not yet steady enough to carry such a burden. Come. Let's sit down and talk."
He turned and walked over to the desk, settling into a chair. Wesley followed, and behind them, the hidden door shut with a soft click.
The desk was already set with food and wine. Sheldon poured two glasses, placing one in front of Wesley.
"You've been separated from Mr. Marcus for years. Do you feel guilty about that?"
Sheldon didn't bring up Cassie. Instead, he turned the conversation to Marcus.
"I know Marcus is about to marry Natalie." Wesley raised his glass and drank it all
in one go. "I'm not going to stir up trouble at a time like this."
He continued, "I haven't been a good father. I haven't been a good husband, either. My wife suffered, and I lost my son. That's all because of me.
"I understand what you're trying to say. But I don't want you to sacrifice yourself. There are other ways to make Cassie pay. You don't need to take it this far."
"Mr. Wesley, I've watched you grow up. I'm something of an elder to you, am I not?" Sheldon said before sipping the wine. "So I'll ask you this, and I want an honest answer.
"Cassie is your half-sister. Now that you know I've taken her captive, will you stand with me or with her? Will you sympathize with her and ask me to spare her?"
"No." Wesley didn't hesitate."Cassie is disgusting. I don't consider her family. She hurt my wife. She loved her own brother. People like her disgust me. I can't even stand to look at her.
"I don't care how you deal with her. All I care about is you. You've served my father longer than anyone. You've been the most loyal person in this entire household.noveldrama
"I don't want you at the age where you should be enjoying peace to throw away everything you've built just because of something like her."
His voice was steady, filled with sincerity.
"You said it yourself. You watched me grow up. You're like a father to me. My own father is gone. Sheldon, I want you to live a good life. I want you to enjoy your remaining years in peace."
Sheldon's lips curved slightly. "Mr. Wesley, ever since Mr. Holden Senior passed, I haven't had a peaceful day."
"Forgive me for asking, but... you never married, never had children. Is it because you were in love with my father?"
Wesley had held the question back for a long time, but in the end, he chose to ask it.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Sheldon set down his glass and glared at him, though he didn't look truly angry.
"The late Mr. Holden Senior saved my life. From that moment, I swore to follow him. My loyalty to him has nothing to do with the kind of feelings you're implying."
Wesley rubbed his nose, a little embarrassed.
He had always felt there was something deeper in the way Sheldon had devoted his entire life to the Holden family. He had never married, never built a life of his
own.
After Charles passed away, the way he behaved went far beyond anyone's expectations. It wasn't unreasonable to wonder.
"I owe everything to him," Sheldon said quietly, wiping at the corner of his eyes. "But not the way you're thinking. I'm as straight as they come, Wesley."
Wesley gave a small, awkward cough. He got the message. Sheldon didn't need to repeat himself.
Sheldon poured them both another
round of wine. "I have my reasons for everything I do. My life was given to me by the late Mr. Holden Senior. Now that he's gone, it's only right that clean up whatever filtho remains. And I'm doing it for sake.
your
"Cassie is not his daughter. She's the illegitimate child of Vivian and another man.
But Vivian is your biological mother."
He sighed heavily before continuing, "Do you know how much I hated that woman? But she's dead. Your father loved her, and because of that, he loved both you and Cassie.
"I respected the late Mr. Holden Senior. I cherished him. His final wish was for you and Mr. Marcus get along. As long as you're both happy that's enough for me. That's why will never let either of you be touched by someone like Cassie."
Sheldon raised his glass again and finished it all in one go before filling it up again.
"I know exactly what Cassie cares about most. I want to destroy her from the inside out. All her plans, all her dreams, I want them shattered beyond repair. That's why I encouraged Ms. Laura to reconcile with you.
"During Mr. Marcus' wedding, I want you and Ms. Laura to be the ones giving the toast. In front of everyone. To Mr. Marcus and Mrs. Natalie. That moment will cut Cassie deeper than anything else.
"And I will end her life myself. People like her never die easily. They linger, poisoning everything they touch. I need to be the one to end it.
"Originally, no one knew about this plan. You came back to Dithoria and couldn't find a single trace of her.
"That's because I found her before either of you. I tricked her into coming back, then locked her in the basement of this villa.
"Sometimes the most dangerous place is also the safest. You and Mr. Marcus would never think to look right here, within Holden Residence."
Wesley nodded. "You're right. If Noah hadn't discovered it, Marcus and I never would've found her.
"Marcus has been busy with the
ef
wedding. After getting the marriage certificate with Natalie, everything's been moving fast. As for me, asked me to take over his responsibilities at the consortium. I've been working nonstop, didn't notice anything.
"But Sheldon, I still have to say this. What you're doing... it's not worth it."
He raised his glass, and Sheldon lifted his in return.
There was no argument between them. No harsh words. Just two men, sitting quietly, drinking together, each carrying a lifetime of burden.
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